CHAPTER 3. FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING
Ever thought about taking a drug to
improve your ability to learn? Chances
are, you already do: caffeine.
By blocking the action of adenosine, a
natural brain chemical that promotes
sleep, caffeine – the world’s most
popular psychoactive drug – prevents
drowsiness. It’s one example of a group
of compounds known as cognitive
enhancers, nootropics or smart drugs,
which enhance cognitive functions
including memory, motivation or creativity.
Some of the newest substances being
used as ‘smart drugs’ are medically
prescribed for other conditions. For
example, methylphenidate, commonly
known as Ritalin, is used to treat attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
So is Adderall, a combination drug
containing two forms of amphetamine.
These are among a suite of
pharmaceuticals now being used
by healthy people, particularly
university students, to enhance their
capabilities for learning or working.
So, do they actually work? One
of the most studied is modafinil,
a wakefulness drug approved by
the Australian Therapeutic Goods
Administration to treat the sleep disorder
narcolepsy. Modafinil’s beneficial effects
in sleep-deprived people are well-known.
A 2015 research review by University
of Oxford neuroscientists noted that
modafinil’s neuroenhancing effects
varied: the longer and more complex
a task was, the more consistently the
drug improved cognitive function.
Ritalin and Adderall have also been
reported to enhance performance in
SMART DRUGS
PHARMACEUTICAL WAYS TO IMPROVE
LEARNING MAY BE RISKY.
healthy individuals, although research
indicates that their effects are modest.
However, there are serious concerns
relating to the safety and effectiveness of
these drugs with both short- and long-
term use. Misuse of these amphetamine-
based drugs increases the risk of sudden
death and heart attack, and there are legal
restrictions on their supply and importation.
So far, these so-called 'smart drugs' are
approved only at specific doses for specific
conditions, such as narcolepsy and ADHD.
There are significant concerns
about what their impacts may
be when used by healthy people,
potentially at levels outside
prescription doses. Because
these drugs modulate important
neurotransmitter systems such
as dopamine and noradrenaline,
users take significant risks with
unregulated use. There has not
yet been any definitive research
into modafinil's addictive
potential, how its effects might
change with prolonged sleep
deprivation, or what side effects are likely
at doses outside the prescribed range.
Ethical issues also arise with the use of
drugs to boost brain power. Their use
as cognitive enhancers isn’t currently
regulated. But should it be, just as the use
of certain performance-enhancing drugs
is regulated for professional athletes?
Should universities consider dope testing
to check that students aren’t gaining an
unfair advantage through drug use?
Until appropriate research has been done, the medical consensus is that you’d be smart to avoid smart drugs.
Should universities
consider DOPE
TESTING to check
that students
aren’t gaining an
unfair advantage
through drug use?